PROGRESS PARK, St Andrew's (CMC):

Recalled West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan, seeking a return to form, stroked 90 but it was not enough as Zimbabwe posted a comfortable 77-run victory over a UWI Vice-Chancellor's XI yesterday.

The West Indies middle-order batsman carefully built his innings as the Vice-Chancellor's XI were bowled out for 269 runs in 48.9 overs after the visitors compiled a challenging score of 346 for seven at Progress Park.

Sarwan, a late inclusion in the Vice-Chancellor's XI, was the mainstay, helping to recover the innings to a respectable total after a poor start at six for the loss of two wickets.

Leading the pack

Although he missed his century by 10 runs, the right-handed batsman led the consolidation of his team's innings ahead of the first one-day-international between West Indies and Zimbabwe at the national stadium on Friday.

Sarwan was recalled for the recent one-day tour of Australia following an 18-month absence from the West Indies side but struggled with the bat, managing just 12 runs from three innings.

The highlight of the Zimbabwe batting was Vusi Sibanda, who top-scored with 145 retired. Sibanda reached a brilliant century with a big six over square with Zimbabwe at one stage motoring on to 203 for one off 31 overs.

The Zimbabwe and West Indies teams will have practice sessions today ahead of their first clash tomorrow.

Scores:

ZIMBABWE 346 for seven off 50 overs (Vusi Sibanda 145, Hamilton Masakadza 56, Tino Mawoyo 30). UWI VICE-CHANCELLOR'S XI 269 all out off 48.4 overs (Ramnaresh Sarwan 90, Shai Hope 43, Shamarh Brooks 28).